Antimicrobial Adhesive Footwear Insert

ABSTRACT

A footwear insert configured to detachably adhere to the insole of any of various types of footwear. The footwear insert includes a planar member composed of a robust, flexible, antimicrobial material. The planar member includes a front toe portion having an appendage and an adhesive material for protecting a user&#39;s foot from slipping, sliding and other movements and preventing the development of calluses, corns and other such skin conditions on the user&#39;s foot. In one embodiment, the appendage includes opposing first and second flaps adapted to adhere to the sides of the front inside cavity of footwear, such as sandal straps and toe-boxes, for added protection from slippage and the like. In an alternate embodiment, the appendage includes a pocket-like structure adapted to unnoticeably adhere to the front inside cavity for added protection from slippage and the like.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/077,347 filed on Nov. 10, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear inserts. More specifically, the present invention relates to footwear inserts for preventing foot slippage and movement and the resultant skin conditions caused by same and for preventing bacteria formation within footwear.

When wearing footwear, especially without socks, stockings, and the like, feet can slip or slide therein. Feet slippage and movement is further exacerbated when wearing heeled footwear and sandal-like footwear. This is typically due to structure of the footwear combined with the moisture created thereon by feet perspiration after wearing the footwear for prolonged periods of time. This feet movement can cause a lot of friction on the user's foot thereby creating calluses, corns and other similar skin conditions. Further, after a while, the moisture inside of the shoe generates foul odors due to bacteria formation, which can cause a user to acquire athlete's foot or other similar infections.

As a result there is a need for an improved antimicrobial footwear insert configured to removably adhere to the insole of a variety of shoes such that a user can comfortably wear the shoes for prolonged periods of time without socks and without excessive foot movements, thereby protecting a user from unwanted and painful skin conditions, such as calluses and corns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of footwear inserts now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an adhesive antimicrobial footwear insert wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wearing footwear for prolonged periods of time. The present system provides a footwear insert configured to detachably adhere to the inside of footwear. The footwear insert includes a planar member composed at least in part by a flexible, antimicrobial material. The planar member includes an upper and lower surface having an adhesive material for removably adhering to a foot and the insole of footwear, respectively. The planar member is foot shaped to fit the natural contours of a foot and includes a heel portion and front portion. The planer member further includes an appendage attached to a front portion of the planar member, which is configured to removably adhere to the inside cavity of footwear, such as the walls of a toe-box on a high heel or to the interior surface of sandal straps. In one embodiment, the appendage comprises opposing first and second flaps, configured to removably receive a foot to prevent foot movement therein. In a second embodiment, the appendage comprises a pocket-like structure adapted to removably receive toes to provide comfort and prevent slippage, sliding, and other similar movements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the antimicrobial adhesive footwear insert. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for inserting into footwear. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the footwear insert. The footwear insert comprises a foot-shaped planar member 10 having an upper surface 12 and a lower surface. The planar member 10 is configured to conform to the contour of at least a portion of the insole of a variety of footwear including, but not limited to, high heels, wedges, platforms, and sandals. The planar member 10 comprises an upper and lower surface comprising a flexible, antimicrobial material. Preferably, the upper and lower surface comprise the material Dycem®, which acts as an adhesive and combats the formation of bacteria created by foot perspiration stemming from prolonged use of footwear. In another embodiment, however, the planar member 10 comprises a smooth, soft, durable, and flexible material, such as polyurethane. In alternative embodiments, the planar member comprises a more rigid material, such as polyetherdiol, or a less rigid material, such as foam.

The planar member 10 is defined by a thickness, width and length defined by edges joined by the upper surface 12 and the lower surface. The planar member 10 further includes a heel portion 16 and a front portion 18 such that the insert is adapted to conform to the contour of the entire insole of a variety of footwear. In one embodiment, the planar member 10 comprises solely a heel portion, such that the planar member 10 is adapted to conform and/or rest over the heel portion of the insole of footwear. In a second embodiment, the planar member 10 includes solely a front portion 18, such that the planar member 10 is adapted to conform and/or rest over the toe or ball portion of an insole of footwear.

The lower surface is configured to detachably adhere to the insole of an article of footwear with the application of positive pressure. The lower surface is utilized to secure the footwear insert to at least one portion of an insole. The adhesive material of the planar member 10 secures the lower surface to a portion of an insole with a temporary bond, such that a user may detach and remove the insert as desired. In alternative embodiments, any of various adhesives or tacky materials are employed to secure the lower surface to the insole of footwear.

The upper surface 12 is configured to detachably receive a foot within an article of footwear with the application of positive pressure, such that the foot does not slide when resting thereon. The adhesive material of the planar member 10 secures the upper surface 12 to a foot with a temporary bond, such that a user may remove his or her foot from the footwear as desired. The upper surface 12 receives a foot and adheres to same via the adhesive material, which thereby prevents the foot from slipping, sliding, and from engaging in other movements within footwear. In alternative embodiments, a different adhesive or tacky material is employed to secure the upper surface to a user's foot.

The front portion 18 comprises an appendage adapted to removably adhere to the front portion of the interior cavity of footwear, such as the toe box of a high heel and/or interior surface of straps on sandal-like footwear. In the depicted embodiment, the appendage comprises an opposing first and second flap 20, 21, which are laterally disposed and adapted to removably receive a foot thereon. The first and second flaps 20, 21 comprise interior surfaces 22 and exterior surfaces 23, wherein each surface 22, 23 comprises an adhesive. The adhesive on the exterior surfaces 23 removably adheres to the sides of the front portion of the interior cavity of footwear and the adhesive on the interior surfaces 22 removably adheres to the balls of a foot or instep. In one embodiment, the flaps 20, 21 attach to the balls of the feet and are configured to extend laterally across a portion of the ball of a foot, such that they provide a cushioning effect on the foot and prevent the frictional irritation commonly caused by heeled footwear containing toe straps or a toe box, such as blistering, callusing, corning, and the like. In a second embodiment, the flaps 20, 21 partially wrap around a foot, such that they provide more compression on the foot to enhance the grip and prevent foot movement. In alternative embodiments, the front portion 18 of the planar member 10 further comprises a slit 60 configured for receiving the thong portion of a sandal, as best seen with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the appendage comprises a toe pocket 24. The toe pocket 24 is adapted to receive the phalanges and/or toes of a user and unnoticeably adhere to the inside front portion of the interior cavity of a shoe, such as the toe box of a high heel, wedge, or platform. The toe pocket 24 is joined to the front portion 18 of the planar member 10. The toe pocket 24 comprises an enlarged opening 26 at a first end 27 and a closure 28 at a second end 29, which creates the pocket-like structure 24. The enlarged opening 26 is adapted to receive the toes or phalanges of a foot, such that the toe pocket 24 slides over and covers the entirety of a foot's toes. The toe pocket 24 further comprises an adhesive on an exterior surface 32 for removably adhering to the inside cavity of footwear and an interior surface 34 for removably receiving toes. In one use, the adhesive on the exterior surface 32 adheres to the inside cavity of the toe box of a high heel with the application of positive pressure and the adhesive on the interior surface 34 removably receives the toes or phalanges of a foot. When adhered to the interior cavity of the heel, the toe pocket provides a user comfort and prevents foot movement and is hidden behind the surface of the toe box, such that the toe pocket is not visible when the footwear is worn.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the appendage comprises a tubular member 50 joined to the front portion 18 of the planer member 10 such that it creates a first enlarged opening at a first end and a second enlarged opening at a second end. The tubular member 50 comprises an adhesive on an exterior surface 52 for removably adhering to the inside surface of straps of certain types of footwear, such as the foot straps of high heels, wedges, platforms, and flips flops, and an interior surface 54 for removably adhering to the top portion the ball of a foot. The tubular member 50 is adapted to permit a foot to slide through the first enlarged opening and out the second enlarged opening such that the tubular member rest on the upper portion of the ball of the foot.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the adhesive footwear insert in use. In an exemplary method of operation, a user inserts the footwear insert into the interior cavity of a high heel 40. The user applies positive pressure down onto the planar member 10 in order to adhere the lower surface of the footwear insert to the insole 42 of the high heel. The user than applies positive pressure to the appendage, i.e., the first and second flaps 20, 21, in order to adhere them to the sides of the interior cavity of the toe box 44. Once attached to the insole, the insert is not visible from the exterior of the shoe, thus not detracting from the aesthetics of the heel.

The user then inserts his or her foot into the high heel, which the upper surface 12 receives and adheres to. The first and second flaps 20, 21 receive the ball of the foot, adhering to it and covering at least the sides of the ball of the foot. The appendage prevent the user's foot from coming directly into contact with the sides of the toe box, thereby providing protection from foot damage caused by the friction in between the foot and the interior cavity of the heel. Moreover, the adhesive provides added protection from foot movement within the shoe. The insert provides more grip which restricts movement, thus further protecting the foot from the frictional irritation that causes blisters, calluses, corns and other similar conditions.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A footwear insert, comprising: a foot-shaped planar member having a heel portion and a front portion, wherein said planar member is adapted to conform to an insole of an article of footwear; an upper surface comprising an antimicrobial adhesive adapted to detachably receive a foot; a lower surface comprising an antimicrobial adhesive adapted to detachably adhere to the insole of the footwear; and an appendage comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the appendage is connected to the front portion of the planar member, and wherein the exterior surface and the interior surface comprise an adhesive antimicrobial material, said exterior surface being adapted to detachably adhere to at least one portion of an interior of the footwear and said interior surface being adapted to detachably receive at least one portion of a foot. 2) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises Dycem®. 3) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the lower surface comprises Dycem®. 4) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the front portion of the planar member further comprises a slit adapted to receive a sandal strap. 5) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the appendage comprises a first flap and a second flap, wherein said first flap and said second flap oppose each other. 6) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the appendage comprises a pocket adapted to receive toes, said pocket being disposed on the front portion of the planer member and having an enlarged opening at a first end and a closure at a second end. 7) The footwear insert of claim 1, wherein the appendage comprises a tubular member, said tubular member comprising a first enlarged opening at a first end and a second enlarged opening at a second end, said first and second enlarged opening being adapted to slide over a foot. 